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feel dizzy and icky after exercising

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Lupus
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Posted 11/20/2007 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
So does anyone else feel like crap after they exercise?  I feel dizzy, off balance, just plain yucky for about a half hour after I am on the eliptical trainer, or any exercise for that matter.

 

I've had a heart stress test done at my cardiologist's because of my complaints about this, but my heart is fine and my circulation is fine too.  When I start my exercising I have eaten, and I eat something as soon as I'm done, so I doubt it's my blood sugar.  Maybe it is?

 

I don't know what it is.  I don't feel well after I work out.  A couple hours after working out, I feel great!  So what's up with the short term weird feelings?  Anyone deal with this too?

 

Ginny

Posted 11/20/2007 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
For my background in running, pre-Lupus, I had a similar reaction when I pushed myself over my limits. I would get hot running, freezing when I stopped, totally wiped out & nap hard for a couple hours, then feel fine. Start cutting back till you find the exercise level that does NOT make you feel this way. Then increase only 10% (or less) and make sure you are okay at that level before you increase again. This is the technique I've used when a flare has wiped me totally off any movement for a while....*slowly* increase & use how I feel to not go too fast.
Posted 11/21/2007 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Lynnwood.  I appreciate the advice a lot.  Wow, I'm gonna have to exercise for only 10 mintues then.  That's not much!  I feel fine while I'm exercising, it's just as soon as I stop and do my cool down, stretching etc, when all these icky feelings set in.  I'll give your advice a try tomorrow and see how I do.  Thanks so much!

 

Ginny

Posted 11/21/2007 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
I have exercise induced asthma as well so that contributes too. Hope you feel better!
Posted 11/22/2007 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
ginny, I feel almost exactly the same way if I push myself too hard when exercising. It's a way different feeling than I had from exercising hard before I got sick. It's really hard to explain to people, but my head doesn't feel right and my body feels shaky and like I've been run over - almost flu-ish. I've been feeling good enough again that I've been doing some light exercise, but am taking it very very easy like what Lynnwood recommended. I want to take it easy so I don't crash and I can continue to exercise. SO far it's working.
Posted 11/22/2007 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
YES!! YES, YES, YES! Hippi, you nailed it.  My head doesn't feel right, and I feel shaky and flu-ish!  I just didn't know how to describe it.  That is exactly how I feel.  Before I started getting really sick, back in my early 20's, I was very active and exercise felt wonderful.  This is totally different now.  I feel worse when I exercise.  Isn't that just our luck eh.  We're doing our best to stay healthy by exercising, and what does our body do in return?  Yeah, make us feel like poo.  Do I sound bitter, lol!

 

Okay, I just need to do shorter workouts, maybe a couple times a day, instead of doing a big one all at once.  I'll give that a try. Thanks for chiming in on this Hippi!

 

Ginny

Posted 11/24/2007 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Ginny,

It is important to get whatever exercise you can but listen to your body....when it says too much, quit.  You probably cannot do what you could in the past but that does not mean you will not benefit from exercise.  Just tailor it to what you can do and do not push yourself.  A sick and already stressed body will not benefit.

I have been fit all my life and worked out for over 55 years.  6 months after my first flare (I have mctd, lupus, scleroderma and polymyositis) I lost 40 lbs of muscle and started 2006 as a quadriplegic who could not swallow.  I have fought my way back and now work out 5 times a week, lift weights, do tai chi, run, play golf....but it is not the same body or fitness level as before. 

When I first got back on an elliptical machine 18 months ago I could only do 20-30 seconds at minimum resistance.  I literally felt like I was going to die.  Now, 20 minutes at a high resistance is just part of my workouts and I have been able to run, slowly, about 1/2 mile.  Not sure how far I can walk but 5 miles is no problem.  Not a normal fitness level but light years better than 2 years ago.

Point is that you should do what you can but don't overdo it.  As you feel better you can push a little bit but always listen to your body.  Fatigue is a constant "friend" for almost all of us, even those of us who are improving.

Just keep moving even if slowly.

Bill

Posted 11/24/2007 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Bill, thank you.  So much.

 

You are absolutely right.  I've been trying to do a "normal" exercise routine and it's just not working. I don't even want to exercise now because I've ruined it for myself!  I'm doing 10 minutes, twice a day at the easiest level on my eliptical now and it is so much better.  My goal is to be able to do it for 20 minutes, twice a day.  But I'm going to make that a goal that I reach in time!  No rushing. What I was doing before was 5 miles in 20 minutes.  That's crazy.  That's a 4 minute mile! I just realized that! Only seasoned pros do a 4 minute mile!  Good grief, no wonder I wanted throw up and just sleep after doing that.  I'm crazy!  

 

Some exercise is better than none, right! I just need to tailor it to what I can handle, just like you said.  I don't have the stamina that I did when I was 20, so I'm not going to try and be 20 again!

I'm starting a beginner's pilates class in January.  I'm really looking forward to that. I need some core strength and toning.  My friend has joined the class with me, so we have support and someone to be accountable to!  Getting some strength and endurance now will help me in this class. 

Your post inspired me Bill.  You have been through an awful lot, and have overcome some big obstacles.  I think it's amazing and fantastic that you have improved so much from where you were in 2006.  It's wonderful.

Thanks again for the pep talk and great advice. I'll put it all to work!

Ginny 

Posted 11/24/2007 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
Ginny, you have been given great advise I just wanted to add my experience too. I don't exercise, yes I know I should!!! LOL anyway, I feel the exact same way when I over do it cleaning, etc. I get very nausious and feel terrible! I have learned to listen to body and take little breaks in between cleaning. I once could get all of my cleaning done it a day now it's takes me several days.... but hey it gets done!!! Hugs and love to ya!
Posted 11/25/2007 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ginny:

I'm glad to hear that you've figured out this exercising problem. Sounds like you were just pushing your body to hard. I hope that you continue to get better with your exercising and can work your way up to the point you want. I just wanted to wish you well.

Take care,
Barbara
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